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Defenders Impacting the Community

The Office of the State Public Defender’s (OSPD) role frequently extends past the courtroom and into the policy and program implementation realm, both statewide and regional in scope.

Legislative and Executive Engagement

OSPD employs several legislative and policy specialists who work at the state capitol to lobby bills and persuade law makers about the importance of non-carceral, non-punitive approaches to community safety. Every year there are many proposed laws that directly or indirectly impact our work and the lives of our clients. Defenders from across the state participate in the legislative process through providing feedback on proposed legislation, collecting data related to the impact of new laws, and testifying for or against bills in various chambers of the General Assembly.

Our team of legislative and policy specialists include:

 

James Karbach
Director of Legislative Policy and External Communications
Maureen Cain
Legislative Liasion
Laurie Rose Kepros
Director of Sexual Litigation

Creating a Positive Impact

OSPD defenders in Colorado serve on numerous local and state-wide commissions, task forces, committees, subcommittees, and working groups often serving as the only voice for the criminally accused, their families and the impacted communities.

OSPD accepts its responsibility to impact the criminal legal system as a whole in addition to the core function of representation of indigent clients. Often it is through policy and systemic change that OSPD can better achieve outcomes and support for clients who are so marginalized in the communities in which they live.

Some examples of this ongoing engagement include:

  • Local Engagement
    In every regional office, defenders serve on community corrections boards, crime control commissions, drug court and other problem-solving court committees. Office Heads and supervisors in each of our 22 offices are tasked with working with the district attorneys, sheriffs and chief judges in their jurisdictions to address issues related to court management and confront practices that work to the detriment of our clients.
  • Agency Partners
    Outside of those system-based critical roles, defenders are active with community groups and non-profits that work to assist those persons impacted by the criminal legal system. Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Second Chance Center, Latino Coalition, ACLU, the Korey Wise Innocence Project, DU Prison Arts Initiative, Advocates for Change are just some of the groups that defenders engage with to support impacted persons and communities.

Committees Our Defenders Serve On

Staff from the state and regional offices serve on various committees, including:

  • Transforming Criminal and Juvenile Justice Board
  • Governor’s Office
  • Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health
  • Department of Public Safety
  • Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Board
  • Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB)
  • Domestic Violence Management Board (DVOMB)
  • And many more

Our lawyers serve on Judicial Department committees, including rule-making committees developing court and practice procedures. Lawyers and other defenders also serve on committees and boards for the Colorado Bar Association, as well as many of Colorado’s specialty and diversity bar associations.

Assisting Outside Organizations Associated with the Criminal Legal System

Outside of those system-based critical roles, defenders are active with community groups and non-profits that work to assist those persons impacted by the criminal legal system. Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Second Chance Center, Latino Coalition, ACLU, the Korey Wise Innocence Project, DU Prison Arts Initiative, Advocates for Change are just some of the groups that defenders engage with to support impacted persons and communities.